Who ordained that the Medicine River Rehab group could disturb all wildlife with their orphan placements? I can not believe the federal government would issue such a permit to a group!
Coercing the public to call the group with locations of birds nests is possibly illegal and totally wrong!
The disturbing of most migratory birds is strictly prohibited under the Migratory Bird Act and carries a very stiff fine and possible jail time.
Also each time a nest is approached, the ever watching predators take note and will take out the nest. As well, when approached, nestlings can prematurely abandon the nest and perish.
Indeed many responsible birders will not share their nest sightings for these very reasons.
Further, where does this group get off deciding how many young a bird can raise? The bird knows how many eggs she can hatch and feed in her present environment. For the rehab group to augment this, is preposterous and self serving.
Anyone with wildlife experience should know that handling and moving any wildlife can them cause them to “break” creating stress and disease.
Relocating wildlife can spread disease to other areas and jeopardize the hosts.
This group claims 95 per cent success in transplanting wildlife. Who are they kidding? How do they know, the fact that the critter disappears into the environment does not deem success. The hosts could be overstressed and succumb later on or fail to second nest because of the groups interference.
Additionally, injured critters should be assessed by qualified vets and euthanized if need be instead of being hauled all over the country in stress just for photo op publicity and body count.
D Murray Mackay
Ponoka